November is a time where kindness and sharing are brought to the forefront. Veteran’s Day, World Kindness Day, and Thanksgiving are all holidays which celevbrate the kindness of strangers and the importance of thinking of others above oneself. World Kindness Day is a celebration of passing kindness forward and looking out for our fellow person, but we believe that every day should be celebrated in this fashion. The same goes for Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. On these holidays we make time for others and give thanks to those who have stood by us through thick and thin. Again, this is a facet of life that should be celebrated on any given day.

Our duty to think of others and celebrate those who have sacrificed for us should not be a month long celebration, but an idea embraced throughout the world on every possible occasion. We shouldn’t need an official day to perform random acts of kindness and celebrate togetherness and sacrifice. November may very well be kindness moth, but why should we lock up our benevolence and courtesy for others as soon as December rolls around?

No matter your race, gender, or creed, this Thanksgiving think about what is really important to you and others and how you can incorporate that into your daily life. Time is Love encourages individuals to take the information contained in these pages and apply it to their everyday living. Sure, if every month was November, we would have an excuse to treat others kindly at all times. With the right mentality and motivation for improving the overall life for everyone, why not make every month November? There are plenty of ways to get involved with community and pay kindness forward in very simplistic ways.

Join our effort to spread kindness across the world beyond the moth of November. Give thanks, spread kindness, and build a better world.

Most people are so busy that it is impossible to slow down every once in awhile and say thank you to those who perform an act of kindness. Random act of Kindness Day is a chance to pay it acts of kindness forward.

Friday, Nov. 13 will be the inauguralRandom Act of Kindness Dayin our area. Before that date, cards will be circulated throughout the community. The cards will encourage the cardholder to perform a simple act of kindness for someone — a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, or someone they don’t even know — and hand the card over to that person, encouraging him/her to do the same.

There are many different types of action that people can use as their kind act: buy someone a coffee, congratulate someone on a job well done, act as a sounding board for another, even something as simple as holding open a door for someone with their hands full. Each act provides us with an opportunity to connect with a member of our community.

These types of ‘holidays’ are popping up all over the place in select cities. Hopefully one day we can all set aside a day to pay it forward.

Random Act of Kindness cards will be available at the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area, located in the Dundee Wealth office, 27 Coldwater St. E. For more information, please call 259-1163.

A smile, small toy, or a fleece pillow might seem insignificant, but it means a lot to children at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia a ray of comfort during a difficult time. These small acts of kindness has earned 12 year old Dustin Darby the October Kids Wish Network’s Hero of the Month. The Kids Wish Network is a national children’s charity that has various programs, including wish-granting for children with life-threatening illnesses and the Hero of the Month program, which recognizes children with nonlife-threatening illnesses who have faced many difficulties and often endured a lot of pain.

The organization cooperates with many organizations from around the country and awards one child per facility the award. Recipients are awarded with a medal, certificate, t shirt, and a retail gift card. Dustin suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease, and has broken more than 120 bones and had more surgeries than most grown adults. He received the award not only for the pain that he has endured, but for the fact that his family buys small gifts for the children at Shiner’s and makes IV pillows for them. Dustin also talks to children before they get surgery in an attempt to comfort them and help them through their experience.

Dustin is also a hunter and, thanks to the Tony Semple Foundation for Hope, was chosen to be one of four disabled hunters flown to Michigan for a hunting trip in September 2007. When given a $400 gift certificate, Dustin also offered to take one of the nurses from the hospital to Wal-Mart and buy her a few things, but she declined explaining that it was his money and he could spend it however he wanted. It’s good to see children at a young age reaching out to others and putting them before themselves. Perhaps the entire world could learn something from 12 year old Dustin Darby.

Statesman Journal October 26, 2009

A local program on Salem’s fringe has brought health and veterinary care to the pets of homeless people. The clinic offered free vaccinations and medication to the pets as part of an attempt to increase public health and provide care for animals whose owners can’t afford it.

Veterinarian Mark Stoenner of the Willamette Valley Animal Hospital in Keizer saw more than a dozen animals on Sunday. The makeshift clinic was a small building near Cascades Gateway Park – a Southeast camping area for the homeless and their pets. As their pets received health exams, their owners socialized, ate spaghetti and talked about their pets.

This is not the first time that Salem has held one of these clinics which is usually supplemented by a barbecue. They have been occurring monthly since May and are the result of teamwork by the Willamette Valley Animal Hospital, the Marion County animal shelter and Prodigal House Ministries, a non-profit organization.

The goal is to provide each pet with a health exam, vaccinations, and a full set of flea and deworming medications. They also spay and neuter the pets. Lending a helping hand to the homeless and their pets as well as promoting public safety is the two part benefit to these clinics. The outreach program which is fully supported by donations has treated over 80 pets owned by homeless people.

Many of the homeless in the Salem area avoid shelters because they don’t allow pets who they have become very attached to. The outreach program has shown a great deal of kindness for giving the pets of the homeless something just as important as the love of their owners.

User Submitted Acts of Kindness

A Million Moments of Kindness is an attempt to join with many individuals to create a network of positive stories to be broadcasted to the world. One of the many efforts to change the type of news that people are subjected to, A Million Moments of Kindness documents user submitted random acts of kindness, philanthropy, kindness of strangers, and generosity collected from all around the world. The hope is to create a positive impact on people’s lives through positive news.

Behind the blog and movement is MamaRed, officially known as Jerilynne Knight, has brought love, laughter, joy, and hugs since she could toddle around saying “wuv you” to anyone who would listen.

she is committed to helping others find their own gifts, their own essence and living life full out…a life that is juicy, jazzed, joyful™. Charged up. Kicking booty and taking names along the way. Filled with passion, purpose and spirit (which is, by the way, how she got the name for her company).

From the top of her red hair to the tips of her red painted nails, she believes everyone counts. Everyone matters. And everyone has a special gift to share with the world.

Big acts, small acts, any act counts. A Million Moments of Kindness will use any piece of technology and the help of their readers to spread the positive word. This site is about as genuine as it gets. Real people achieving real acts of kindness, an organizer who is more dedicated to the cause, and free of advertisements and marketing distractions. A Million Moments of Kindness is the real deal; an initiative to band together and change the world in positive fashion.

For more, check out the site at http://www.onemillionacts.com/blog/

MamaRed a.k.a. Jerilynne Knight

A New Site Dedicated to Tracking Acts of Kindness

Since 2008, RakTrak.com has been dedicated to simply going out into the world and committing random acts of kindness in hopes that people would catch on-and they have. They are also dedicated to reporting all acts of kindness that they hear about in order to spread good news to the masses. It’s more than often that the public is exposed to the negative events going around in their communities. Seldom do people hear the encouraging news of positive impact in their communities. In order for us to change as a society for the better, the good must be covered more than the bad.

We live in world where plenty bad happens, but what we are exposed to can change our entire perception on the world. RakTrak is dedicated to keeping track of random acts of kindness and encouraging recipients to pass them on to the next individual. The site keeps track of acts of kindness and sets more in motion. In addition to having cards that users can purchase and help track their acts of kindness, the site has many ideas on how to brighten someone’s day. Ideas both big and small can be put in motion and documented throughout the globe as the acts of kindness continue to be passed.

Their blog, similar to this one, documents company’s acts of kindness as well as companies doing their part on a large scale in making the world a better place, and a forum where users can submit their own stories. People should be aware of the good things happening in their communities as well as the negative. RakTrak illustrates just how much goes on in the world ever day and passes that information onto their users. Check out their site and join the movement at http://www.raktrak.com.

Image courtesy of RakTrak.com

The Time is Love Approach to Kindness

There are many stories and sites out there that have indeed outlined many acts of kindness. A good number of sites offer awards for amazing acts of kindness, fame, and other perks that sometimes come with a generous heart. These are amazing stories of compassion and love that a site like Time is Love needs; the random acts of kindness that make the headlines.

We are also interested in the acts of kindness that don’t make the local news and reach maybe no more than one person. Every little act of kindness whether it is holding the door for a complete stranger or donating to your local charity counts toward a better society for us all. We hope to document all acts of kindness submitted by our readers in order to raise awareness about the stream of kindness that constantly runs through the world, but that we hardly hear about.

Most individuals expect nothing more from their acts of kindness than a ‘thank you’ or smile. Tell us about your random acts of kindness, love, or tips on how to become a better person by signing up on Time is Love and posting your amazing stories.

Photo courtesy of cheermup.net

Speaker Steve Foran Talks About the True Meaning of Kindness

Below is an excerpt from an article written by Steve Foran, a speaker and writer based in Halifax

WHEN NOTED anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked how she knew when she had found the beginnings of civilization, she replied, “A healed femur.”

Thousands of years ago, one would not have been able to survive a broken femur unless there were others willing to hunt, fish, feed, and generally take care of the injured. According to Foran, this is what defines us as a civilization; the willingness and ability to care for others as well as ourselves.

In 2007, he spoke to generous people in the Nova Scotia area, and analyzed how generous people measured their kindness-in time or money. He concluded the seemingly basic ideas that generous individuals were grateful, and had the desire to help others. As simple as this may seem, individuals who truly are grateful for what they’ve been given and desire to spread kindness with no strings attached is not as common as it would seem.

Foran concluded that giving is an integral part of human nature, just as a mother selflessly gives herself to her child. The idea hinges upon the idea of being free of judgment and giving regardless of the perception of others. Giving with no expectations of reward or revere is what draws the line between generous people and most of the population who sees selfless acts as futile.

As a society, there is a slow shift toward the direction of kindness and charity, but there are undoubtedly many steps that still need to be taken in order to achieve a better well being among humanity. Mead defined civilization as people having the capacity to care for others as well as themselves, with judgment and condemning others serving no practical purpose.

Foran believes that within time, more studies will show a shift in generosity as well as reasons certain individuals feel compelled to give to others. Perhaps as a society, we will one day learn that taking care of others is necessary in our advancement.

Read the original story Kindness an impressive act of giving.

Noteworthy Acts of Kindness

Think about the last time you remember hearing good news. The country and world has fallen on some black times, and good news is few and far between. People seem to be looking out exclusively for number one, and focusing on competition rather than sticking together.

Don’t lose all of your faith yet, though. Here are some of the biggest and most recent stories of kindness that may just restore your faith in humanity.

Photo courtesy of http://www.power-of-giving.com/

9/11 acts of kindness – Nearly a dozen people fanning from Portland to Salem engaged in random acts of kindness to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy. On a notoriously gloomy anniversary, these individuals helped to brighten the mood of Oregon locals. They bought a teacher school supplies, paid for a veteran’s groceries, and gave kids music lessons.

The program is called ‘Pay it forward 9/11‘ and was started by Kevin Teurff, president of EnviroMedia Inc. a marketing company specializing in environmental and public health clients. On the date of the September 11 attacks, Teurff was flying over the Atlantic after a European vacation when his plane was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. His flight, along with 36 others were kept there for three days. During that time, Gander locals offered trips to the store, home cooked meals, showers, and bedding to the 7,000 stranded passengers who were without luggage.

Since the first event in 2002, Teurff and his employees have been giving away thousands of dollars each 9/11 asking recipients to pay it forward.

Pay it Forward 9/11 participants

Random Acts of Kindness Day – New Zealand hopes to prove that it is the kindest nation in the world with it’s Random Acts of Kindness Day. The holiday has boasted some of the largest acts of kindness in the past including flights to Los Angeles and a Mexican cruise, but smaller acts of kindness such as free movie passes, t-shirt giveaways, and complimentary shoe shining are just as appreciated.

Organizer Megan Singleton states that bringing a smile to a person’s face doesn’t have to cost money, it can be as simple as bringing scones to work. She will be handing out wine in her neighborhood as a way to welcome people to the neighborhood and introduce herself.

I think everyone could agree that every country could use a similar holiday.

Bob Votruba and the kindness bus – Bob Votruba of Chester, Ohio is currently on the road encouraging people to engage in acts of kindness. The divorced father of three embarked on his ten year journey to spread love across the U.S. on August 31st of this year. Accompanied by his Boston terrier named Bogart, his destination is unknown, but kindness is on the itinerary.

He explains that the idea began after the Virgina Tech shootings of 2007. He saw that the country was heading in a bad direction and felt compelled to do something. He drove to Roanoke, VA. and stood quietly passing out ‘one million acts of kindness’ stickers. His presence was met warmly as he was hugged by parents of victims.

‘We have to do something. We have to turn our society around,” said Votruba.

Bob Votruba and Bogart

Deliberate Acts of Kindness – During tough economic times, health care is usually the first thing that people lose. Many individuals find themselves literally spending their last time on taking care of themselves or loved ones. The Ladies Hospital Aid Society is dedicated to offering help to those who need some assistance during tough economic times.

The society helps families and patients with external needs such as food and housing for loved ones so that patients can focus on making a full recovery. These deliberate acts of kindness are what keep the LHAS going and promote a better well being for Pittsburgh patients.

Rachael’s Challenge – The first victim in the Columbine shooting by the name of Rachael Joy Scott shattered the stereotype of teenagers being selfish and disrespectful. Before her death, she wrote an essay that has become the object of a program dedicated to helping others. Part of the essay read ‘I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.’

Led by her uncle, Larry Scott, Rachel’s Challenge has turned the family’s tragedy into a conduit for caring. High school students from all around the country have embraced the message and started clubs dedicated to reaching out to other students and promoting kindness toward each other. Props should also be given to the Junior League of South Brevard, which finances about 90% of the program, a sum of $60,000.

Rachael Joy Scott

Acts of Kindness and why they Catch on so Quickly

The idea of performing random acts of kindness has been gaining popularity in recent times. The reason may be the dismal state of the world, or different underlying factors, but people are taking more initiative in brightening others’ days. Instances of individuals paying for the meals of total strangers without them even being aware has been more common in recent years, and even spreading throughout the community.

Unfortunately, there is no index outlining the top cities of random acts of kindness. Time is Love invites you to share your experiences or stories you’ve heard of anonymous acts of kindness. There is something about hearing these types of stories that triggers a feeling within us to do the same for others. Think of the cost of restoring one person’s faith in humanity. For the price of the coffee of the person behind you, they will feel wonderful for the rest of the day and likely brighten the mood of everyone around.

Taking that little bit of time (and perhaps money) is exactly what Time is Love is about. On a large enough scale, the smallest ripple in kindness can create a more harmonious world for all of us. We all share this earth, it only makes sense to treat each other with kindness in order to make every one’s experience in this life as pleasant as possible.

Kindness: so much more than a saying on a card...